The Sun. — London, England, 1864-12-23 00:00:00

LIFEBOAT SERVICES. —During the storms of the *past year the boats of the National Lifeboat Institution 'nave saved 426 persons from different wrecks on our coasts, The Institution also expended £14,770 in the same period on lifeboat establishments, in addition to grant ing £1,497 as rewards for saving 692 shipwrecked persons by its lifeboats, and other means. The Committee of the Institution earnest'y A ?PEAL to the public for ASSISTANCE to enable them to meet the continued heavy demands on the Institution's 138 lifeboat establishments. Contributions are received by Messrs. Willis and Co.. Berries and Co., Coutts and Co., and by all the London and country bankers; and by the Secretary, Richard Lewis, Esq., at the Institution, 14, John-street, Adelphi. CRYSTAL PALACE. —TO • MORROW. CHRISTMAS EVE. See To-morrow Morning's Papers for full details of Gene ral TOM THUMB'S Last RECEPTION, To-morrow, and Juvenile Entertainment. Unusually combined attractions. THEATRE -ROYAL DRURY-LANE. Managers. Messrs. E. Falc,;ner and F. B. Chatterton. tin BOXING-NIGEIT, and during the week, A YOUNG D FROM THE COUNTRY. Alter which, the Grand Christmas Pa tomirne, HOP O'M Y THUMB AND HIS ELEVEN B ROT H E ; or, Harlequin and the Ogre of the Seven-League Boots : Messrs. G. e 1 more, Toni Matthews, G. Weston, Master Percy Roselle, &c. 3 limes Lydia Thompson. R. Lcclercq, Sze. ; Messrs. Boleno, C. Lauri, W. A. Barne, T. Morris, Corma2k, Saville ; Mdme. Boleno, the Misses Gunn* and Signor Tescano. THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY- LANE,- Special Horning Perform ances.—ln answer to numer ous applications from parties residing in the environs, and in order to allow the country visitors to London during Vie holiday week an opportunity of witnessing the grand Drury lane annual Christmas Pantomime, entitled HOP 0' MY THUMB AND HIS ELEVEN BROTHERS; or, Harlequin and the Ogre of the Seven-league Boots, Messrs. Falconer and Chatterton have decided on giving FIVE MORNING PERFORMANCES, on TUESDAY, Dec. 27, Wednesday, 28, Thursday, 29, Friday, 30, and Saturday, 31, and on the morning of every Wednesday and Saturday during the holiday season. Children and schools at reduced prices to the following parts of the theatre : First circle, dress circle, and stalls, for morning performances only. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.- Lessee. Mr. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL. Messrs. Buckstone, Chippendale, Howe, Farren, Rogers, Cordon, Clark, Braid, Coe, &c.; Mesdames Angel, Snowdon, Fitzwilliam, Lindley, &c. After which, NO SONG NO SUPPER. Messrs. Compton, F,rren, Artt.ur Clark, Weathersby, ac. ; Mesdames Seeley, Villiers, Moore, Lovell, &c. And OUR MARY ANNE. To commence at 7. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.- Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining. THIS EVENING, BORN TO GOOD LUCK. I addy O'Rafrerty, Mr. Dominick Murray. Attcr which, THE STREETS OF LONDON. Messrs. Vining, J. W. Ray, D. Fisher, D. Murray, J. Nelson, H. Forrester. H. Mellon ; Mrs. Henry Marston, Miss Emma Varnett, and Miss Fanny Gwynne. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Mr. FECIITER will perform his universally allowed great impersonation of RUY BLAS EVERY EVENING until further notice. On BOXING NIGHT, Monday, Dec. 26, to commence with MY WIFE'S OUT. Messrs. Widdicomb, Charles; Miss B. re.rcy and Miss E. Lavenu. After which, at 8 o'clock, RUY BLAS. Ruy Blas, Mr. Fechter. Messrs. Ryder, Fitzpatrick, F. Ch rley, M'lntyre, Garden, Raymond,llett, C ifford, Moreland; Misses Car lotta Leclercq, B. Percy, and Mrs. Winstanley. To conclude with a Farcical Oriental Extravaganza, en titled BAREFACED IMPOSTORS. Schahabaham (a pasha of three tails, Mr. Raymond; Mustapha, Ms viz,er, Mr. Garden; Bill Stumps and Jack Hocus, quondam proprietors of the ori-inal united happy family, Messrs. Moreland and Widdicomb ; Ali, chief guardian of the ladies of the Harem, Mr. Collett ; Osman Khan. chief executioner, Mr. Bunch ; Achmet Aga, an officer of the Sultan, Mr. Kelly; Mirzs 'fejt Baba, chief keeper ot the monkeys. Mr. Regan; Ayesha, formerly Jemima Stumps, but no, first favourite of the Miss Miss Lavenu ; Fatima, second favourite of the pasha, Miss B. Percy ; Shekerleb, third favourite ot the pasha, Miss Travers ; Beda, fourth favourite of the pasha, Misi Watson ; Zenobia, formerly banou of the harem, chief wife of the pasha, but now discarded for Ayesha, Miss Hatch. Various choice specimens of zoology, guards, slaves, and attendants, by The numerous and talented Smith family. Divertissement des Odalisques._ Doors open at Half-past Six. The Box-office open daily from Elevin till Five. THEATRE-1W IAL, ADELPHi.- Sole Proprietor and Manager. Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, THE WORKMEN OF PARIS. tir. Benjamin Webster; Messrs. Billii:tton, R. Phillips, Stuart, J. Clarke, Stephenson, Eburne, C. J. Smith; Mrs. Stirling, Miss Woolgar (Mrs. A. Mellon), Miss H. Simms. Mrs. Billington, Mrs. H. Lewis, and Miss A. Seamen. To conclude with DOING BANTING. Mr. J. Clarke, Mr. Stephenson ; Mrs. Lewis and Miss A. tieaman. Commence at 7 MISS BATEMAN.—NEW THEATRE ROYAL ADEL PHI.— Mr. Webster begs to announce that the great Tragedienne, Miss BAT SMAN, having per formed with unparalleled success the character of "Leah" for a period of nine consecutive moo the during the last season at this Theatre, and since won the plaudits of thousands in Liverpool, Birmingham, Dublin, Manchester, and bilasgow, she will RE-APPEAR at this Establishment JANUARY 2d, 1865, in her original character of the Jewish Maiden for a limited number of nights, previously to her appearing in other illustrations of the Cla.slc Drama, which are in prepa ration. The B x-office will be opened on Monday, Dec. 19, when places may be secured for Aiiss Bateman's engagement a fortnight in advance. ROY AL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. Manager, Mr. Benjamin Webster. EMINENT TALENT AND COMEDY DRAMA. Last Two Nights of the present Management. THIS EVENING, THE BARONET ABROAD AND THE RUSTIC MINA LONNA, by Lennox Horne: Mr. Frank Matthe Ns and Miss Constance Roden. After which, at a quarter to Eight, a new Comedy, entitled A LESSON IN LOVE : Mr. and Mrs. Char.es Mathews, M r. and Mrs. Frank Matthews. To conclude with Mr. Maddison Morton's New Comedy Farce of WOODCOCK'S LITTLE GAME. Mr. Charles Mathews, Mrs. Frank Matthews. On Saturday, Dec. 24, Benefit of Mr. Benjamin Webster. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manageress. Mrs. Swanborough. THU> EVENING, at 7, WILFUL WARD. Messrs Turner and Belford ; Miss Palmer. After which, at 8, MILKY WHITE. Messrs. Craven, Stoyle, James ; miss Ada Swanborough. To =elude with MAZEPPA. Messrs. Thorne and Fen ton ; Mesdames Raynham, Simpson, and Johnstone. COALS. —The LILLESHAL L COMPANY'S COALS'. Direct from their own Collieries. Marquis' .255. per ton. Double.. . .215. per ton. Top 245 . I Deep Well screened and delivered within five miles of their De pots, Westbourne Park-road, W., and 17, South Wharf, Paddington, W., and Maiden-lane, N. Best Coke Terms cash. JOHN SCOTT, Sole Lgent. THE LATES I' EDITION of " THE SUN" supplied, as soon as published every Evening by NV. ALEXANDER (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 24, Old Cavendish- street, Oxford-street. HIGH ATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. T HIS DAY.—Morning, 9h. 3m.—Afternoon, 9h. 40m. To-mottßow.-Morning, 10h. 12ca.—Afternoon, 10h. 43m. *ev 4111:1 17 11 ' 4 4T-r:l4 " 't 4,47:81401CN 1LVPP*114 4‘.1..1 LONDON, FRIDAY, DEC. 23, 1864. Mr. SEWARD'S reply to Lord WHARNCLIFFE is certainly a characteristic one, and exposes to view some of the most objectionable features of the Auterisan. manners. At the same time the whole weight of the blame does not rest with them on the other side of the Atlantic. It is certain that if our Government had adopted a different tone from the commencement of the war, such extreme imperti nence would not have been eshibited by the Ames ricans. It is very significant that no remarks of this kind are ever offered to the Frencla, let them sly or do what they will, and the inference to be drawn therefrom is very plain to al: who will see os hear for themselves without the intervention of interested parties. It is an irritating reflection to dwell upon, that those who arrogate the right of representing the country should fail so com pletely in their attempts to do so. If any doubts or hesitation on the subject of our Minister's capacity for holding American insolence in check have remained in the minds of impartial o'rservers, this letter of Mr, SEWARD'S will mr>st probably settle them at once and fur ever. Surely it affords confirmation stronz as proofs of holy writ re specting the matter. From beginning to end it is a tisiu e of absurdities, and exhibits an utter absence of statesmanlike Qualities; but above, beyond, and besides all else, appears the animus against England. This is the informing principle, the ruling spirit, and the motive power of all his thoughts, and hence it is the text of his rp7stle. 'Whether or not Lord ti itaßNeuFFE's proposal Was a wise cr political one is not the question to di,:cnss ; and indeed it is a pity to take that vi ew of the subject up, because argument presents a safer discussion of an affair. This case rests on higher grounds, and should be viewed in a national light, more then under an individual aspect. Mr SEWARD'S letter is not of sufficient importance to provoke a war or to necessitate an explanation ; yet because it is rot there is no necessity why its publication should be allowed to receive a judgment by default, or by tacit consent be soffured to drop into silence. Had he contented Limeelf with refuing the request in decided terms, Is he had a right to do, there would hai) been no need of a fuss or confusion about it; but when he goes out of his way to insult and abuse the British people in toto, and to state direct and ungnestion• able falsehoods, to make out his case, it is surely time to direct attention to the inconsistency and unworthiness of his conduct, and to utter a protest against it. Under cover of a particular case, and not a general question, Mr SEWARD avails himself of his opportunity in what may be called a dace• tardly fashion. It is really difficult to determine which is the most conspicuous feature in his address —whether his impertinence or his falsity. Perhaps the latter should be first ccnsidered, not only on moral grounds, but to note the effrontery with which some persons make black white to suit their purpose. Who would have believed that a man in so respon sible a position would have given utterance to such expressions as the following passage contains:— " Nor will any portion of the American people be disposed to regard the sum thus ostentatiously offered as an equivalent for the devastation and dissolution which a civil war, promoted by British subjects, has spread throughout the States, which before were eminently prosperous and happy." It certainly was not generally known before Mr SEWARD so kindly gave us the information that this country was the cause of the deplorable cala mity of the civil war which rages with such vio lence and fiery. Besides, how can Mr SEWARD dare to make such assertions in face of the repeated attempts of the Federals to cajole our subjects, and by false pretences to entrap them over to America to engage in a war. It is really going too far for even Yankee assurance, and no doubt he will find he has overreached himself by this clever and comprehensive epistle. When we call to witness the warning of the father of his country against the worst public danger, "sectional faction and foreign intrigue," it naturally occurs to the mind that, as regards the latter named peril, we are now suffering from it. Our subjects are taken from us, our sailors are entrapped into foreign service, and arms and ammunition are constantly being supplied for the maintenance of a war in which we have no interest except in so fir as we pray for its termi nation, in the cause of humanity. A more disgrace. ful epistle could not have emanated from an official personage than this letter of Mr. SEWARD'S, and as a communication from so important a personage it means either too much or too little. If he really believes and honestly affirms in the name of his Government, one half of which he has said, in the name of public honour and private honesty the Government at Washington cannot remain on terms with Great Britain. It is not paying a very high compliment to their own management of affairs is relation to public affairs, if -they have not been able to impress their allies with more respect for their dignity and a due regard for their wishes. The fact is, that the Federals are becoming so arro gant and monopolising that they are almost beyond endurance. The strong influence that has prevailed in our Cabinet has caused Earl RUSSELL to forego the pursuance of the only means which would have kept them in due limits, and in his zeal to propitiate the irritation of America, he has forgotten his duty to the English. He has been warned over and over again of the great mistake that he was making by the tame and mean-spirited policy, but to no avail. Those who run may read now, how complete has been his failure, if he wished to be on good and genial terms with the Government at Washington. The tone of this letter is portentous; it means more than it says, more than it dares to say. Rave and rant as they will, the Americans really dread a war with England just now, but still the deep rancour, the deadly spite that flaws in an under current through this epistle is quite apparent, and impos sible to be overlooked. The real secret of all this Federal rancour is contained in the fact that they are too sharp not to notice the sentiment of the English nation, and to see that the sympathies of the people go with their adversaries. Setting aside the rights of the case, and all that series of vexed questions which such a complicated discussion gives rise to, the English people can see for themselves that on one side of the belligerents these has been exhibited a spirit of courage and a constancy that would do honour to any cause, while on the other there has been seen hardly anything but arrogance and bluster. A total dis regard for the rules of civilised nations has marked the course of the war on the part of the Federals, and now they seem wishing to try their skill in the matter of peaceful braggadocia. It is melancholy to behold such an exhibitien of undisguised heat and hastiness on the part of Mr SEWARD. It loWers him in the opinion of all sensible and discerning persons. It would seem as if this epistle was meant as a corollary to Mr WEBB'S effusion. The Ameri cans are perhaps running a race and striving for a prize as complete letter writers, and certainly they are putting forth great exertions and energy in the cause. One thing beyond all others is to be learnt from this communication of Mr SEWARD'S, and that is our Foreign-office is greatly to blame for having suffered things to go to such a length that any one in his position should presume to pen such an epistle, and to offer either openly or covertly such an insult to a country which is supposed to be on terms of amity with his Go• vernment. Such extravagant conduct will not answer its own unworthy ends in the long run, and in the meantime it calls down the contempt of all who are competent to judge of the matter. There is often said to be a sort of epidemic in crimes, and magistrates and policemen are always prepared, when a crime of peculiar or exceptional character hes attracted much attention, to have a good many imitators of the principal culprit to deal with. Sometimes poisoning comes into fashion, as at the time of PALMER, of Rugeley ; sometimes open murder, as in the case of Rum, at Norwich ; oe, again, suicides of various kinds come into passing favour. It is difficult for minds ordinarily well balanced to comprehend or realise the morbid crav ing after excitement which leads to putting oneself out of the world for the sake of being talked about, when the hero or heroine will not have the pleasure of hearing the remarks that will be passed upon the grand catastrophe, and the attraction which induces a man or woman to commit some particular crime because another has just been hung or transported for it, is even more extraordi. nary. Still such is undoubtedly the case, and psychologists may find some explanation of it ie the strange depths of human nature; but how are we to account for the remarkable coincidence which so often brings accident into close proximity. It has often been noticed that one catastrophe is Speedily followed by others ; yet it might naturally be supposed that each disaster would occasion in creased care, and therefore lc ssen the probability of another. Just now we have an epidemic among the railways, as unfortunately we have very often had before, Two of the accidents which in late years most deeply impressed the metropolis from their i mmediate connection with its citizens, occur red withi n a few days of each other, and not many months since a string of disasters, beginning tie Fgham t n aceids , pai n f u ll y start l e d the world of railway Passen gers , But the impression, though at the moment, EOOll passes avva3 unless with with those who have themselves suffered, or seen rela tives suffer ; it is as though h had n_ver been ; and unhappily, not Only the tra',lllere but the railway, THE STIN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 23, 1864.' officials of various degrees go on their ordinary way, as if such things es railway aceidents were never heard of. This carelessness or indifference is more extraordinary, as although the victims to the shock are of course the principal sufferers, the rail• way companies are very great pecuniary losers. In the accident, which happened yesterday at Slough, there was happily no loss of life, but there was very great destruction of the company's property. The catastrophe of the other day on the South Eastern, what with the damage to rolling stock and other property, was estimated to involve an expense of £3,000 or £4,000, independently of the heavy compensation to the sufferers. Yet the principal authorities appear unable to secure a due amount of commo❑ sense and common caution on the part of their subordinates. A child ten years old would know there was danger in sending a train along a baocked np-line. Yet here we have an accident which narrowly escaped being of the most frightful nature, caused by deliberately send• ing the Bristol parcels train on to the lines where the goods train was previously shunted. By a most fortunate escape the drivers and stokers of the two trains received no injury, but had either train had any passengers the result of the collision would have been appalling. The parcels train itself had two carriages nearly smashed and the break van completely crushed in, while the stationary goods train was pretty well demolished. The engine of the parcels train was completely disabled, the works at the side being swept away by the violence with which it had dragged against the goods train. It was not an ordinary collision, but occasioned partially by the confusion arising from the employ ment of a double gauge. The negligence which produced the disaster was the closing of the points, which drove the broad gauge train exactly in the track of the narrow gauge. No doubt the company will institute a searching inquiry into the cause, although in this case, happily, the assistance of public justice is not invoked; but it is really time that a better system was introduced into our rail way traffic. So vast is its importance, and so im mense the numbers who daily trust their health and life to its charge, that it is really an imperative necessity that the companies should act up to their public and sccial responsibilities. The employment of a better class of men, more liberal wages, and shorter hours of labour, would greatly reduce the risks of the passengers. The fares are quite high enough to provide for proper attendance, which should be regarded as much a matter of necessity as the rails upon the road. The ordinary risks of rail way locomotion must be chanced by the passengers; but if wilful carelessness and stupid ignorance are to come in, the result will be neither satisfactory to the companies nor to the public. No great variety can ba expected in the autumnal speeches of Parliamentary members to their con stituents, and although the recess is now so far advanced that the thoughts of both orators and audience turn rather to the ensuing session than to the past, there is little to be slid in the way of politics beyond the old stereotyped phrases. Demark, America, the Lancashire distress, the prospec's of Reform appear in due rotation in every harangue, leaving neither side much the wiser for their discussion. The addresses of the rrembers for Reading, the other evening, were no exception to the rule, though Mr SHAW LEFENR,E certainly introduced some novel views as to the transatlantic question. He considers Mr LINCOLN to be " honest, straightforward, and courageous," and entitled to an honourable place in history. He thinks, how ever, that the sympathies of this country should be rather Northern than Southern, and that the Americans may feel justly incensed at our desiring the break up of the Union. Such a feeling, he says, is but natural. What, for instance, should we have thought if Franca in 1857 had rejoiced over the probable dissolu , ion of our India❑ Empire ? Mr LEFEYRE might- rather say what would France have thought if, in 1848, we had refined to recog nise her new form of Government. So long as the S:atcs were unanimous in maintaining the Union there was no wish in England to see its disruption, but we hold that Republicans in name should be Republicans in practice, and that one part of a republic has no right to coerce the other. As for Denmark, Mr LEFEVRE applauds the wisdom of our Government for not going to war with Germany for "a few parishes of Schleswig." Would be ap prove of war on behalf of a few parishes . of Canada, we wonder ? Probably not, for our modern poli ticians are more remarkable for discretion than for valour. Sir J. GOLDSMID very truly observed in his speech, that Lord PALMERSTON would not grant reform unless compelled, but said he for his part would be ready to support it. A good deal is left in the hands of our Parliamentary Representa tives nowadays, and we should like to see them show a little more sense of Rational honour and public spirit. Punch's Almanack for 186 g. Tenniel's illustrations of the Signs of the Zodiac —some of them wonderfully funny—are our chief consolation this year for the absence, for the first time, of John Leech, of dear, delightful, gratetutiy remembered John Leech, from among the illustra tors of Punch's Almanack. Tenniel—always vellously good in his drawing, even when his pencil runs into its most grotesque extravagances —seems to us, here and there, in this Almanack for 1865—at his very best. The seasonable scenes intermediately placed between the successive pairs of the Signs of the Z )diac are very often droller than the Signs of the Zodiac themselves. A Royal Academician—who else than J. A. Millais, R.A. ? that indefatigable book and nl.igazine em bellisher condescends for once to contribute a whimsical woodcut to Punch s Almanack. This sketch represents the artist's own children indulg ing in a preposterous practical joke, played off by them in Papa's Studio, upon his unfortunate "Lay Figure!' A couple of knickerbockered boys (merry young rascals!) " laying into " the poor wooden lady, with the naahl stick, while the same number o! pretty little girl-sisters are remonstrating with the young pickers from behind the easle. One or two of Charles lisene's comic cats are really comic, as, for example, the second of the two in reference to Bantingism. 0. Du Maurier, in the number of his pictorial contributions to the Almanack, is very remarkable. More than that we can hardly say. Altogether, Punch's Almanack, for 1865 presents it purchasers with abundance of fun and frolic, both literary and pictorial, in return for their annual outlay of a threepenny bit, ACCIDENT TO TWO SOLDIERS FROM FALLING INTO THE TRENCHES AT CHATHAH.--At a late hour on Wednesday evening a serious accident occurred to Corporal Hodges and P ivate Low, belonging to the 20th Regiment, from falling into the trenches surrounding Fort Pitt, Chatham. The two men had been sent to the hospital on duty, when they appear to have mistaken their way, and had walked into the trench, near the back of the lunatic hospital, which is left entirely unprotected. When found Bow was discovered to have sustained a serious fracture of his left leg besides other injuries, while those of Corporal Hodges were of a trifling character. It is earnestly hoped that the authorities will adopt the necessary precaution to prevent a recurrence of these accidents. HORSE FOR THE POOR.—In the last sitting of the Paris Society for the Protection of Animals the vice president, Dr Blatin, announced that he had just proposed to the Government that the sale of horse-Lash as an article of food should be permitted in the French capital. The subject, he Paid, bad been submitted to the Council of State for decision, but in the meantime the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul, Rue du Faucounier, distribute every Saturday to the poor ono or two horses, in addition to the beef contri buted by the Bureau de Bientaisancu. The applicants for that meat are so numerous, the hon. gentleman stated ; that all cannot be setii.ted.--6=a/igncoli's 2.leseeng4r. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. [REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] ITALY. TURIN, DEC. 23. The King has issaed a decree ordering, ae a mea sure of public utility, the occupation of the con. vents, seminaries, and other establishments, neces sary for the service of the State. SPAIN. MADRID, DEC. 22 (EvENING). The Queen's Speech at the opening or the Cartes to-day contained the following paragraph :—" I am bound to state to you that the general condition of the Monarchy, considered in all its extent, is not very satisfactory ; and to remedy this I shall lay before you a bill of great importance." The Epoca considers this paragraph to refer in dubitably to Sin Domingo. The same journal believed that a loan is indis pensable and urgent. _ _ MADRID, Dec. 22. The Cortes were opened to-day. The Queen's speech states that the relations of Spain with foreign Powers remain satisfactory, except with Peru, " the Government of which State will finally be con vinced that justice is on our side." Her Mjeaty then expresses a hope that a perfect understanding will be arrived at, without any stain upon the national honour. The Queen proceeds to state that the official com.. munication of the Archduke Maximilian's accession to the Mexican throne is the commencement of a new era in the political relations between Spain and Mexico, hitherto unfortunately interrupted. " The South American Republics will see that the sym,. pathy of Spain has no admixture of ambitious projects." The Queen continues—" The Italian question is still pending, and the revolutionary movement which has been going on in that country has given rise to fresh diplomatic combinations. As soon as affairs are finally settled my Government will take this question into consideration in the manner dic tated by prudence, without, however, failing in the respect and filial love which Spain, as a Catholic nation, professes for the common Father of the Faithful." The speech, in conclusion, announces the intro duction of bills relative to financial questions and modifications in the present legislation affecting Credit societies. A bill on the press law, in har mony with the Constitution, will also be brought for ward. No allusion is made to Santo aiming°. The reactionist and moderate journals attack the Government o❑ account of the nomination of Mar. shal Concha as President of the Senate. FRANCE. PARIS, DEC. 23. M. Drouyn de Lhuys has addressed a letter to the Mayor of Sunderland, in which he says : " The Emperor's Government is p rticularly sensible of the cordial reception given in October last by the authorities and population of Sunder land to the commander and crew of the Danae. Such manifestations cannot but strengthen the bonds of friendship which so happily unit© France and England, and contribute to the development of friendly relations.' BOURSE, Dec. 22.—The market continues inani• mate. Threes, for the Account, are unvaried at 65f. 20c. Mobilier shows a sight decline, being og in Railway Shares. now at 925 Y., Little do' The market clostd as fol!o . 41 per Cents. . . 93 80 Do. end month :3 per Cents .. 65 25 Do. end month 65 30 Credit Mobilier 932 501 )o. end month 931 25 Bank Shares 3550 (..:rEdit Fancier 1200 Roman oNs : Italian Loan 65 35 Do. end month 65 45 Ditto Threes .. Now Mexican .... 50 50 ltussiau Austrian Spnuth -- tlonte Debt Deferrej RAILWAY 9. Crash. Account. Orleans 843 75 .. 850 Northern Lyons and Mediterranean 878 75 .. 881 25 Southern 485 .. 5M 75 Wes - tern .. Eastern .... Sardinian 31:5 .. 315 Austrian Low bard . 545 .. 505 North of Spain Saragossa .. Ditto to Barcelona THE CAPE MAIL. PLYMOUTH, DEC. 23. The Union Company's steamer Saxon arrived here this morning. Her dates are—Table Bay, Nov. 20 ; St. Helena, 28th ; Ascension, Den. 2 ; and Madeira, 16th. She brings the mails, 70 passengers, and a full general cargo. Her mails have been landed and forwarded by to day's mail train. Governor Wodehouse had decided his arbitration vir. tually in favour of all the Free State claims. This had occasioned great excitement, The disputed lands are very valuable, being admirably adapted Loth for agricultural and pastoral purposes, and had been held by the Basutos for many years. Portions of the lands were under cultivation by them, but on the Governor's decision being known, the Free State authorities issued an order to the Basutos to clear out within one month, and summoned the whole of the burghers to eject them, should force be necessary. Moshesh had sent a civil reply to the Governor's award, merely saying that he would call a meeting of his coun cillors and lay the documents before them; but the Go' vernor's message was treated contemptuously, and very disrespectful opinions of botn the Free State and the British Government were freely expressed by the Basutos, who were greatly irritated, and war between bloshesla and the Free State was considered imminent. It was hoped that nothing in the recent negotiations might involve Cape Colony in the quarrel. The other native tribes on the frontier remained quiet. Trade had improved during the month. Y had been numerous, an 1 business Arrivals wa s consequently e B t brisk. Money continued abundant, and the harvest is expected :o reach a fair average. Marcus, a convict, had been sentenced to a further term of imprisonment for 9 years for tot ging promissory notes to the amount of £ll,OOO, Armstrong, a clerk in the Post-cf6ce, had been sentenced to 6 years' imprisonment (or embezzling sir-raps to the value of £l,BOO. Thu railways are being pushed on with great vigour. The iron ship Pere, from Liverpool, for Bombay, had been wrecked off Madagascar, but no lives were lost. The copper mining in Maryland was proceeding very successfully. New fields of copper bad been discovered. The Orontes arrived out on the oth—the Athens on the Bth—the Roselyn Castle and Mary, with the 10th Regiment on board, on the 11th. St. James's Theatre. A new comedy was last night produced at this theatre, and with the most lively success. It is in three acts, and is entitled " A Lesson of Love," and has been adapted from a Parisian piece lately produced at the Gymhase, entitled "Nos Allies." The main spring of the action is the contest carried on by a splendid widow and a very gay, clever fellow, for th e h and of a young lady. Th e w i dow takes under her p rotect i on a gallant officer, just returned from India, who i s anx i ous to marry, but does not k now how to make love ; a n d t h e widow U ndertakes not only to plot against a rival, but to give him a lesson in love herself, The Indian officlr can storm batteries, but cannot make love to a woman ; aud, indeed, so far from progressing in love to the young heiress, ho grows deeply in love with the widow, and the only time that he can express himself pas sionately is in her presence, the humour of the comedy rests with the continual efforts of the widow and the rival to outplot each other, but it would be tedious to repeat their devices. Suffice it to say, the gallant captain marries the widow, and the gay young rival marries the beautiful young heiress, Mrs Charles Mathews plays the witty widow with charming intermingling of passion and womanly cleverness, Mr Charles Mathews played the gentlemanly, light-hearted rival, who has fallen in love for the twenty fourth time, with a gaiety and humour that is certainly inimitable. Mr Robinson enacted 'the Indian captain in 8 gentlemanly manner; and Miss Wentworth, as the heiress was lady-like and pleasing. The comedy will be played of Saturday for Mr Webster s benefit, and next week, when Miss Herbert will take p-mession of the theatre, Journalism in Australia. A very cleverly conducted sixpenny weekly newspaper has recently made its first appearance at our antipodes. It is called magnificently in one word, but that one word en almost sexquipedaliin one—" The Australasian," It is a paper of gigantic dimensions. It is crammed full of information. I' is admirably well arranged—thoroughly readable —often very exhilaratingly vivacious. Among other things it contains within it, as the first of its literary criticisms, the most searching and comprehensive review we have anywhere met with upon Mr. Banting's woild.famous pamphlet, and in like manner, of coarse, upon the whole ingenious system now known " the wide world o'er" as the system of Bantingism. As affording our Australasian con temporary an opportunity of giving his compatriots here in England about the best possible taste of his quality that could very well be! selected from the fist number published on the first day of last October, we transfer to our columns the preliminary leading article of The Australasian, in which article the editor of The Australasian thus introduces himself and hia journal to public consideration : A journal now-a•.days proposing to add itself to the existing crowd of Victorian newspapers is in nrach the same position as the latest new-comer at a ball. If ho can slip into the throng and mix in the press unobserved he will find himself serenely installed as a freeman of the room, and can look round with the composure of a first arrival ; if not, he must be content to be considerably stared at, and be elaborately on his good behaviour. After advertising our arrival so long, we can hardly hope to escape the stare, and must perforce make our propitiatory bow. Just so in the, days of Elizabeth and Shakapere, when people if they thought much read little, and a fresh book was a month's wonder, each new-born babe of print was ushered into the world with an address to" the courteous reader," soliciting his good graces and deprecating his censure, We like the fashion, stiff as it may seem, and think an Australian public fully as worthy to be saluted as "courteous readers," and considerably more likely to deserve the term than our ancestors in the ruffs, doublets, and trunk-hose, The world, whatever some crusty folks may say, has been growing better every year, and the newspapers improving with it. If the journalist in this goodly race has largely aided to help society on its way, society in its turn has much more largely helped the journalist. In nothing has the marked advance in English life during the last twenty years been more decided than in the character of the news-. paper press. A writer in the year 1864 pre-supposes in his readers a degree of intelligence and knowledge which would have been anomalous in the days of the Reform Bill, and the fact of their possessing in fact this higher grade keeps him, on his part, from sinking below the high level of the popular standard. In the days when Whig and Tory formed the two opposite camps in which the active thought of the nation was limited to serve, the serious discussion of the great social and political questions was reserved to the quarterly leaders of opinion; the monthlies, at most, touched here and there upon some salient topic of the hour, while the columns of the dailies, from the Thunderer downwards, were mainly filled with rabid personal onslaughts, in which the combatants contended in the language and with the rancour of Flashes and Bombastes. We have changed all this, and thank Heaven for the change. The present metropolitan journals of the plebeian class are purer if not cleverer, than were those of the middle and many of the higher grades a quarter of a century ago. The column of the numberless daily organs habitually contain speciali ties of the great quarterlies, The coarse abuse and violent suggestions which once fatally evinced the degradod tastes of the populace, and the bitter class hostility of the poor to the rich, have almost entirely passed away. Though neither wise nor interesting, the writing contained in such periodicals as the Family _Herald and London Journal is harmless as arrowroot. The fib's of the writers are at least of the very whitest of white lies. The numberles Jennies, Julias, and llarias who are con- scantly proposing, through their ever-open columns, to correspond with some nice young man with a view to matri mony, probably exist only in the imagination of the editor, nor is it likely that the niece of an earl with £3,000 a year cannot pick up a parti in May Fair, but must apply for him to the Penny Sh,ored:tch Examiner; but these absurdi • ties are at any rate better than the old advicas to the people to spend their shillings in pikes and daggers against the police, and assurances that Rubespiorre waii the true regene rator of mankind. The respectable working man of to-day, who reads Macaulay and listens at a sixpenny concert to I Mozart, is not disposed, like his father, to believe that every gentleman is of necessity a tyrant, and every lady of quality no better than she should be. The same change is equally evident in the tone of newspaper controversies everywhere. Messrs Potts, of the Eatanswill Gazette, and Slurk, of the Independent, were true pictures of existing realities at the time when Dickens launched into life the immortal " Pickwick"--they would now be the grossest caricatures. The general improvement has not been confined to the mother country, Resident, as fully three-fourths of at least the Victorians have been e within the last 10 years, in the island kingdoms, the colonists may, upon the whole, congratulate themselves that, if the press here and there partially falls short of the standard at home, it is at any rate many hundred degrees above the American. We have very few Australian imitations of Mr Jefferson Brick. We are, in our worst cases, free from anything approaching to the unlimited shamelessness of James Gordon Bennett. If our scanty numbers and inferior field preclude among us the acclimatisation of a Times," the New York private stabber" is equally a stranger. If some unlucky writer, between dyspepsia and mosquitoes, loses his temper now and then, and speaks of public men and things more sharply than good taste and good feeling warrant, at least there is no system of elaborate defamation of private life; there is no exclusive purchase of "an atrocious act of dishonesty com mitted by the Speaker when four years old, now communi cated at greas expense by hie nurse." In the provincial journals, considering the isolated character of the up-coun try settlements, the tendency of all monotony to exacere bate the temper, and the re.cessary restriction of their con ductors, many of them highly edudated gentlemen, to a dead level of details, it is remarkable to fled so general an ab sence of bitterness, and a prevalence of opinions generally sensible and sometimes statesmanlike. And in truth, when the journalist by profession, if worthy of that profession, looks to the end and working of his enterprise, he finds in the reflection of its action upon society enough to console him for many personal annoyances. It is not the most exhilarating of all things to work perpetually in the shade, and, his own individuality buried in the anonymous, see his beat-meditated articles consigned day by day to inevitable oblivion. Bat if the medium perishes. the effect remains. A bad press is a national curse, bat a good one a mighty blessing. Though a single organ of opinion may not do much, the collective action of the majority, especially in a country like ours, is, after sufficient time, all but irresistible. Even when each differs from each most widely, the very contrariety is of use, by ventilating a question. The discussion, open to all, keep society from stagnating, as the winds du the sea, and widen many a mind, by showing its possessor that what he took for gospel truth is not so certain after all. It is one great advantage of our own rather special and peculiar path that, without eschewing the great questions of the day, we shall be enabled by the pause be tween each successive issue to discuss them with somewhat more of calmness and elaborateness than habitually falls to the lot of a deity organ, however able and high-principled. We shall steadily bear in mind, b6th for ourselves and readers, humanwm est errare. It is only half-educated men who are omniscient, and have no doubts, and for such there will be no place among our writers. We shall put down candidly and distinctly what we conscientiously believe true, but be by no means either angry or surprised if our cotem poraries. in print or out or it, think otherwise. The quali ties that combine to make a successful journal are many, but good feeling and singleness of purpose, at least as much as talent and perseverance, are effectual allies, and if they do not command success, may justify the hope to deserve it. City Municipal Elections, -Apr At some of the wardmote meetinga which were held on Wednesday, a poll was demanded on behalf of certain of the candidates. In each case the polling took place yesterday, and the following is the result : ALDGATE.—Alderman Lusk declared the number of votts : Metiers H. A. Isaacs, 147—R. B. Whiteside, 147 J. C. Davis, 140—B. Burnell, 107—W. H. Toulon, 105— R. C. Bueknall, 99—E. D. Rog( rs, 98; J, Turnley, 97 J. Hudson, 89. The first eight were elected. BREAD -STREET.—The result was made knows by Alder man W. Lawrence: Messrs Ilawtrey, 62—Ridley, 62 Cole, 62--Maynard, 60—M'Cutchen, 57—M'George, 57 Maughan, 55—Pill, 40—Smith, 19. The first eight were elected. BRlDGE.—Alderman Abbles stated the result of the poll : Messrs Arnold, 59—Hartland, 56—R. Taylor, 55—C. Whetham, 55—J. Blake, 52—Johnson, 47—H. P. Taylor, 46—Gover, 44—Cluncher, 19—May, 19. Of the above Mr It. P. Taylor and Mr Gover were the new candidates—and Mr May, an old representative of the ward, and Mr Cluncher mere unsuccessful. CHEAP—Alderman Allen announced the numbers—. Messrs John Bennett, 126—W. Tegg, 118—S. Gibbing, 118—J. Stewart, 116—J. Orridge, 114—J. Thorp, 111— Morey, 1 / 1 6—J. Bontom, 80--Wright, 67—Wilson, 44, The first eight were the successful candidates, Mr Tegg being appointed the deputy. CRIPPLEGATE WITHOUT—The past members were Messrs Read, King, Cuthbert, Pickering, Morisse, Smith, Nina, and Gower, the two new canditates being Messrs Turner and Harvey. The following was the result of the poll, the first eight being elected :—Messrs Gower, 241 Pickering, 233—Cuthbert, 218—Smith, 212—Nind, 209 urner, 204—Read, 183—King, 167—Morisse, 140. TowEß—The announcement was made by Alderman T. Q. Finnic—Messrs J. Young, 128—J, Malcolm, 121— H. Heath, 119—J. S. Banning, 115—T. B. Humphreys, 109— J. Nurthway. 116—B. Smith, 87—C. ilegiubutham, 85— B. Corcoran, 83—J. Forster, 60—H. Aste t 42. The first eight were declared to have been duly elected, BANK OF FRANCE. PARIS, December 22. The following is the return of the Bank of France for the week, together with the corresponding figures of the previous account : Dec. 15. Dec. 22. DR. f. Capital of the Bank 182,600,000 Profits in addition toCapital (Art. 8 law June 9.1867) 6,912,460 91 6,893,059 36 Reserve in the Bank and 182,500,000 J.: its branches Reserve in landed property 4,000,000 4,000,000 Notes in circulation 721,487,475 739,383,125 Bank notes to order and re- ceipts payable at sight 5,774,783 36 5,432,012 87 Treasury sc... cur. credit0r103,359,256 06 93,0. 4 4,132 63 Currentticcounts—Paris —136,089,007 48 140,571.991 44 Do. branch-banks 20,104 508 20,698,501 Dividends payable Discounts and sundry interests,. Re-discounts, of the last six months.. Sundries 1,237,994,159 61 1,250,065,304 22 CR. Cash in hand and branch- banks Commercial bills ovs-rdue 708,763 66 558,808 39 ComuiercialbillsdiscouLted not yet due.. Do. branch-banks .... 287,085,185 285,314,504 Advances on deposits of bullion Do. branch-banks 4,869,184 4,900,210 Advances on French public securities Do, branch-banks 7,595,550 7,918,050 Advances on ra,i_lway shares and debentures .. 26,543,800 26,C20,900 Do. branch-banks.... 16,787,150 17,072,450 Advances on Credit Fon der Bonds 548,500 543.300 Do. branch-banka .... 414,750 339.650 Advances to the State (Conven. June 10, 1857) 60,000,000 00,000,000 Govt. Stock Reserve 12,980,750 14 12,980,750 14 Do. disposable Rentes immobilisees (Law June 9, 1857) 100,000,000 100,000,000 Hotel and furniture of the Bank .. 1 8,348,078 8,330,078 Landed property, branches Expenses of management 2,849,239 24 2,488,973 49 Sundries 6,083,115 83 6,250,6)3 12 1,237,984,151 61 1,250,055,304 22 Certified, the, Senator-Governor of the Bank of France. (Signed) RoIIIAND. Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, with his Royal Highness Prince Arthur and Major Elphin stone, and a numerous staff of officers, comprising Gen. Sir J. Y. Scarlett, Adjutant General; Gen. Sir G. Pollock, G.C.B. and K.S.T.;.Gen. Sir J. Bur goyne, G.C.8., luspector-Gen. of Fortifications ; Lieut—Gen. Sir H. Jones, G.C.8., Governor of the Royal Staff College, Sandhurst; Major-Gen. Ham ilton, Vice-President; Major-Gen. Sir F. Abbott, and Lieut.-Col. Elwyn, of the Council of Military Education, arrived at Woolwich at half past 10 o'clock yesterday morning, to conduct the Christmas examination of the gentlemen cadets at the Royal Military Academy, and award commissions and prizes in accordance with the recommendation of the council of which his Royal Highness is presi dent. immediately on arriving at the Academy, Prince Arthur with Major Eiphinstone visited the drawing and class rooms, for the purpose of inspect ing the drawings and scientific sketches executed by the cadets during the past half-year. The whole of the cadets, by desire of the Duke of Cambridge, were assembled in the dining hall, when his Royal Highness, in a private mauner, addressed their at some length in earnest and impressive terms relative to irregularities which had taken place during the past half-year. H e assured the cadets that whilst he was anxious to promote their comfort and best interests, he would take care to maintain that strict discipline without which the army could not exist, and which should especially be cherished by those who would here after be called upon to command men in her MA.. jesty's service. His Royal Highness then conducted a viva voce examination of one of the classes in German, and subsequently proceeded to the Common, where several batteries of Royal Artillery had assembled, which were inspected by the Duke and staff, and Prince Arthur, who was attired in a tartan dress, and rode his favourite Shetland pony. After in specting the troops, hie Royal Highness and staff returned to the Academy on the lawn fronting which the whole of the gentlemen cadets had as sembled in review order, the band of the Royal Artillery being present. After inspection by his Royal Highness and staff, the several classes of cadets went through a complete series of manual, platoon, and battalion exercises, under the direc tion of Senor Cadets Nicholson, Washington, and Curling. The cadets then marched to the school of arms attached to the spacious gymnasium of the institu tion, where arrangemente had been made for dis tributing prizes for exemplary conduct and profi ciency in study during the past half-year, Major- General Hamilton, Vice-President of the Council of Military Education, read a report from the council to the effect that 41 gentlemen cadets of the first and second divisions of the first class had been found qualified to receive commissions, and of these it was recommended that 14 be ap pointed to the Royal Engineers, and the remainder to the Royal Artillery. The examiners had re• ported favourably as to the state of the junior classes, with some exceptions, which chiefly re lated to the languages. Colonel Yorke, R.E., then 'read a report from Major-Gen. Sandhatn, comman dant of the Academy, as to the efficiency of the cadets, and the zeal and attention of their instruc tors, The number of marks gained by each of the cadets in the several branches of study was then read over, and the successful candidates for com missions were called to the front, when the Duke or Cambridge distribu , ed the following prizes:— Mr Curling, for exemplary conduct, a regulation sword. Mr W. Nicholson, for exemplary conduc , ,, the Peilock gold medal; for first artillery, a double telescope ; for first topography, an aneroid baro meter ; for chemistry, a microscope ; and for first fortifications, books. Mr Brown, for second artil. !sty e an aneroid barometer; and for geology, a mi croscope. Mr Leadoc t for second fortifications, a prismatic compass. Mr Beresford, for second topo graphy, a pocket sextant. Mr Pultord, for natura► philosophy and practical mechanics, a microscope. Mr Walker, for first French and second German, valuable books. Mr Moore for second French, Mr Arnott for first Garman, and Mr Jacob for Hindus tani, valuable books. Mr Purcell, for first mathe matic,,, a case of mathematical instruments. Mr C. Watson, for second mathematics, third fortifies lions and practical geometry, pocket compasses and sextant. Prizes were also awarded to Mr Freeth for landscape drawing ; Mr Jekyll for Practical geometry ; and Mr Leech for landscape drawing. His Royal Highness then proceeded to address the cadets. He reminded them that the two corps of Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery, in which they would shortly receive commissions, were emi nently scientific, and they would do well to re member that on leaving those wails it was essentially necessary to continue their education, and endeavour to keep pace with this scientific age by acquiring not only a theoretical but a practical knowledge of those extraordinary inventions and improvements which are constantly taking place. He was happy to find that during the past halt-year so much ad vancement had been made by the several classes, and that such a favourable report had been presented by the lieutenant-governor. He need scarcely re mind them that something more then knowledge of their profession was required from officers in her Majesty's service. It was necessary that they should be of high character, cultivating a high tone of feeling and a high standard of truth. He hoped the advice ho had given them on several occasions would not be lost upon them, and that they would endeavour in after life to emulate the conduct of those gallant officers who had rendered the service of the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers dis tinguished. The Duke and his staff subsequently Witnessed b series of gymnastic exercises by the, cadets, aria, after vishin g the riding establishment and other departments, returned to London n,, ti,tre amidst a Royal salute from the theen.hin battery. HER MAJESTY. OSBORNE, Dec. 22. The Queen and Princess Helena walked and drove yesterday afternoon. Princess Louise, Prince Leopold, and Princess Beatrice also went out in the grounds. The Prince and Princess of Wales. SANDUINGHAN, DEC. 22. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales appear to be greatly enjoying their stay at their Norfolk seat, and, with the infant Prince. Albert Victor, are in ex cellent health. The anniversary of the death of the Prince Omsort Was observed at Sandringham as at Windsor, their rlyal high nesses spending Wednesday and Thursday in strsct retire- ment. On Friday their royal highnesses were out with the West Norfolk at Snettishaw. The prince and party were out shooting on the Frankfort part of the estate on Saturday, and, although the sn'tw fell heavily all day, the sport was excellent. On Sunday the prince and princess, attended by the Mar chioness of Carmarthen, Lieut-General Knollys, Captain Grey, Mr Fisher, and Mr Holzuktnn, attended Sandriir ham Chinch. The sermon was preached by the Rev'.• Tarver, chaplain to his royal highness. A private meet of the West Norfolk foxhounds took plt at Sandringham on Tuesday, and was attended by the Prince of Wales and a select field of the leading supporters of this popular hunt. It was a matter of regret to all, and to none more than his royal highness, that though the Wolferton, Brick Kiln, Jocelyn, and other woods were drawn, no run could be obtained, and the prince mst with his first blank' this season. His royal highness is particularly desirous thatfoxes should be preserved on his estate. On Wednesday the Prince of Wales, attended by Capt. Grey, drove to Marharo, on a visit to the esteemed master of the West Norfolk Hunt, Mr H. VlRebels, vho had in vited a number of the leading inhabitants of the neighbour hood to meet his royal highness for a day's shooting in the excellent covers of Narbrough Contract. The prince re mained the guest of Mr Villobois at Marhapa House, and was to be joined to-day by the Princess of Wales, the visit terminating to-morrow. Their royal highnesses• will spend Christmas at Sand ringham, and it is under.tood that the poorer classes on the royal estate will be enabled to enjoy their Christmas day in a thoroughly English style, through the prince's liberality. The Duchess of Norfolk arrived at Arandel Castle, Sussex, on Wednesday, from Paris. The young Duke of Norfolk is making a tour in France. The Marquis of Cony ngham left town yesterday to pass the Christmas with. Lord and Lady Churchill at Wynchwood Park, Oxon, after which the noble marquis goes to his seat in Ireland. The Earl of Derby, by, accounts received in town yesterday, is regaining strength after his recent severe ill ness. The E arl and Countess of Warwick will shortly leave their residence at the Stable-yard, St. James's, for the Isle of Wight. The Earl of Eldon will leave Hatfield House, Herta, to-day, for his seat in Dorsetshire. The Earl of Coventry hes returned to Thomas Hotel, herkeley-square. Viscount and Vracountess Palmerston are enter taining a select party at Broadlands, Hants• Lord Lyons is expected to arrive in England on Sunday or Monday next, from America. His lordship had arranged to leave New York by the next Cunard steamer tor Liverpool. Lord and Lady Eustace Ceoil, Lord Stanley, EP., the Earl of Eldon, and Mr Seymour Fitzgerald, M.P., are amongst the visitors to the Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury, at Hatfield House, Herts. The Earl and Countess De Grey have left Studley Royal, Yorkshire, for Nooton Park, their Beat in Lincoln shire, The marriage, announced some months back in our columns, of the E4rl of Coventry and Lady Blanche Craven, daughter of the Earl and Countess Craven, will be solemnised towards the close of the ensuing month. The ceremony is to take place in town. " ROYAL ACADEMY OF MuslC.—The competition for the King's Szholarships took place at the insti tution on Monday, the 19th inst., and for that of the West. mortal:id Scholarship and Putter Exhibition on Wednesday last. The following professors composed the board of examiners :—For the King's Scholarships—Messrs Charles Lucas (chairman), W. Dorrell, H, C. Lunn, M. Sainton, and Signor Guglielmo, For the Westmorland Scholarship and Potter Exhibition—Messrs Charles Lucas (cnairmah), W. Dorrell, Cusins, F. R. cos, and Signor Sohira. The candidates elected were :—For the King's Scholarships -- Miss Margaret Watts and Mr Francis Ralph; for the Westmorland Scholarship—Miss A. Smyth; and for tha Potter Exhibition—Miss A. Kinkel. The following can didates were highly commended :—For the King's Scholar. ships—Misses Ida Henry, M. Buds, M. Bauermeister, C• E. Kingdon, F. M. Kingdon, and Messrs. W. A. S. King" don, and G. A. Davis ; for the Westmorland SoholarshiP —Miss E. Pitt and Miss Kellner; and for the Potter Exhibition—. Miss E. Pitt and Miss J. Williams. The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette of yestero day says :—" Our readers have not forgotten the circumstantial contradiction given by some of our Liverpool contemporaries to the statement which appeared in these columns respecting the departure of the steamer Sea King from London to sail under the Confederate flag. The Sea King, on entering the Confederate service, beoarie the Shenandoah, and we are enabled to re p or t some thi ng more respecting her movements. The Sh enan d oa h appea rs to have employed her time to some purpose. Advices received this day from Bahia report the arrival there of a Daniell vessel with the crews of no less than five Federal vessels, all of which had been captured and destroyed by the Shenandoah, under the command of Captain Wardel• The names of these vessels are the Elena, of Maine.- - th e E. Godfrey, of Boston—the Kate Prince, the Charter Oak, and the Susan. We take it that this report eats' Wishes the fact that the Sea King is not only a Confederat e cruiser, but that she is likely to rival, if not surpass, til e Alabama in harassing the commerce of the Northero States. LIFE-BOAT SERVICES. FILEY, NEAR YOEO9 DEC. 21.—At four o'clock this morning (repor t Mr R. White) four of the fishing cobles of this place went out. At seven a.m. it came on a strong gale from th e E.S.E.ovith a heavy surf, and as there was great dange r of the cobles reaching the shore safely, the Hollon life boat, belonging to the National Institution, was at on ce launched, and accompanied the cobl e s until th e y all g ot safely to the shore. On such occasions the presence of the lifeboat gives the fishermen fresh courage, and they 6°• cordingly work their craft with renewed energy. 'Thus t he lifeboat often contributes, as in this instance, to the saving of the lives of a large number of persons. as well as JIG preservation of property of a considerable amount to thee• poor men. The cost of the lifeboat was given to the inoti tate by the ex-Lord Mayor of York (Ms Hollon) and gi ll Honor,. DESTITUTION IN THE METROPOLIS.—Doring the last few days, since the cold has set in with o°4 intense severity, the varicus refuges for supplying P r a l ; sions and lodgings to the d e stitute have b een crow ded. house in Playhouse-yard, which was opened on Saturds/ last, has been visited by several hundreds —men, worrielt: and children—there being separate rooms for the men. the Asylum, Providence-row, there have been 500 oPPi cations of a night, a large number of which were coullo l ' e „, - to be refused. It has been the same with the new refug e 7, - . Newport-market, and the premises in Field-lane have “ 1 % - been besieged nightly by crowds of poor. These so addition to the receptacles attached to the workhouses in th various parishes, where, under the late Act of Parliarae" the police are required to take all the casual poor they In!! with on their usual beats, which will make the d estitUte amount to some thousands. DEATH IN THE PULPIT.- . —A sad sense of bereave went has been induced in Pembrokeshire, in copse : quence of the death, under sudden and indeed very ore markable circumstances, of the Rev. Hugh Hugh ee ' r f ca generally known as Tegai. The reverend divine ne'' very eminent position among the dissenting Wales, and ho was not more distinguished for his piety 5 ce , simplicity of life than for the nervous power and elecl u , al e d., with which his pulpit discourses were commonly cluto On the Sunday he preached a discourse having eig ilisc3 o o reference to the uncertainty of life, for which ho ehe le se d, his text the remarkable declaration of Scripture, " are the dead that die in the Lord." He was explaiwni,_ol the passage, and applying it with fervour and power, e f ro . he was observed suddenly to stagger and fall. Those Vois, ministers' ova sent rushed around him and raised him 111), when hoorpg found that he had been seized with paialysis, of which time previously he had had an attack, altho'g h entirely' Ito was car , character sufficiently severe to compel hitu cease from his pastoral and pulpit labours. I e no lo him but I ' l° afterwards. Every attention was paid to 8 .-- k ;i7 and on fiat to his residence in a state of stupor, and never . malady was beyond the reach of human admirers tllB Friday it became known among his many - v . --A bt Liverpool Mercury. he had breathed his last during FRENCH HISTOR.•• A CONTRIBUTION TO , a se c ond just been purchasend thee the previous rlis „ chiv es of curious manuscript bus placed amon t the that city. The volutare, rovieoe 01 nand book shop at Lyons the amount of the receipts and expenses of the thre P e years at , 01! Lyonnais and of the ei , y of Lyons foN onswauridtten en parchmen g' . with the history of that p art of the country. e nd of the 16 th century, with numerous details connect° ( .. . A ft itrt L" ril